In the interest of the service and pursuant to the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) entered into by the OWWA as represented by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees with the Chief Executive Officers of the Philippine Manning Industry Associations, whereby OWWA pledges to undertake, among others, the granting of Php30,000.00 financial incentive to the top 200 cadets of BS Marine Transportation (BSMT) and BS Marine Engineering (BSMarE), the following guidelines and mechanics are hereby prescribed:

1.0 Nature of the Program

The OWWA and the Industry Associations (IA) will undertake a joint program to address the current shortage of Filipino marine officers and engineers aboard international going vessels through OWWA ™s funding of pre-identified education and scholarship projects aimed to augment the capability of the national maritime industry to produce quality officers and engineers. One of the action programs is the granting of Php30,000.00 incentive to top 200 qualified BSMT and BSMarE cadets undergoing mandatory cadetship program.

The incentive program is part of the education for development scholarship program of OWWA for prospective OWWA members.

2.0 Objectives

It is the general objective of the program to support the government ™s overall efforts in ensuring steady supply of qualified marine officers and engineers for the seafaring industry through provision of relevant training, education and other appropriate intervention.

Other objectives are:

2.1 To provide subsidy to deserving marine cadets as an incentive to further boost their moral and enhance their resolve to finish their respective courses with less financial stress;

2.2 To enhance awareness of prospective officers and engineers-cum-OWWA members about OWWA ™s progressive role in seafarer ™s career development; and

2.3 To promote seamanship as a viable, promising, and prestigious career option.

3.0 Beneficiaries

One hundred (100) BSMT and one hundred (100) BSMarE students who passed the Maritime School Assessment Program (MSAP) - a qualifying examination and assessment - conducted by the IA.

4.0 Entitlement and Eligibility Requirements

Each qualified cadet, who met the following criteria, are entitled to a one (1) time Php30,000.00 financial incentive from OWWA.

4.1 Must be currently enrolled and in his second year of schooling in any CHED accredited maritime school;

4.2 Must be sponsored by any Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) duly registered and accredited manning companies with foreign principals/shipowners; and

4.3 Must passed the MSAP conducted by the IA.

However, students of Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) and the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) are excluded from this program. Students with Manning Company/Principal sponsoring their full tuition, dormitory and either training or documentation costs are likewise excluded to participate.

5.0 Implementing Unit

The Regional Operation Coordinating Services (ROCS) through its Regional Welfare Offices (RWOs) nationwide shall implement the program in cooperation with industry partners.

6.0 Implementing Mechanics

In order to ensure smooth and efficient implementation of the program, the following mechanics shall be instituted:

6.1 The OWWA and the IA shall form a Joint Committee (JC)/ Technical Working Group (TWG) to act as Oversight Committee and Secretariat for the purpose of co-managing, monitoring and evaluating the program;

6.2 The IA shall seek authorization from the CHED to make the assessment mandatory for all schools and their students;

6.3 The IA shall conduct a nationwide examination (or MSAP) and assessment of all 2nd year maritime students;

6.4 The examination and assessment shall be supervised by an Industry Proctors and Representatives using an industry prepared sets of examination in Math, English, Science and technical subjects in deck or engine;

6.5 The IA shall prepare a list of the 200 passers and shall submit the same to the Joint Committee/TWG, and the OWA-ROCS, for distribution to all manning companies-members of participating IA.

7.0 Functions of the JC/TWG

7.1 Acts as repository of passers of the MSAP;

7.2 Formulates additional policy and guidelines in the effective implementation of the Cadetship program for approval of OWWA Administrator.

7.3 Acts as Coordinating body between the IA and the OWWA.

7.4 Manages administrative requirements of testing and reimbursement of the program;

8.0 Composition of JC/TWG

8.1 One (1) Representatives from the OWWA (Director of the Policy and Program Development Office)

8.2 One (1)Representatives from the Industry Associations

8.3 One (1) Representatives from Maritime Institutions and Training Centers

9.0 Process Flow

9.1 Upon instructions from the JC/TWG, IA conducts nationwide assessment and examinations of all qualified 2nd year maritime students;

9.2 The IA prepares a list of top 200 (100 BSMT and 100 BSMarE) passers and submits list to the JC/TWG;

9.3 The JC/TWG reviews list; distributes same to manning companies members of participating IA ™s;

9.4 Manning companies select preferred cadet/s for sponsorship;

9.5 Manning companies advance Php30,000 to selected cadet/s;

9.6 After graduation from cadetship, Manning companies process contracts of cadets with the POEA including payment of $25.00 OWWA contribution;

9.7 Manning companies submits program ™s required documents thru the JC/TWG for reimbursement of Php30,000.00 to OWWA;

9.8 Joint Committee reviews and endorsed documents to ROCS-RWO for reimbursement;

9.9 ROCS-RWO evaluates documents submitted for compliance with program requirements;

9.10 ROCS-RWO prepares check/s in favor of concerned Manning company/ies.

10.0 Documentary Requirements

In order for OWWA to reimburse the Php30,000.00 to concerned manning companies who sponsored the cadets, the following shall be submitted by the Joint Committee/TWG:

10.1 Accomplished OWWA Application Form (2 sets);

10.2 Certification from the Joint Committee/TWG that the claims are properly supported by documents and the cadets have undergone the required cadetship program;

10.3 Certification from the POEA or any proof that the applicant has been processed as Cadet by the POEA;

10.4 Proof of OWWA contribution by the Cadet;

10.5 Proof of receipt of Php30,000.00 by the recipient; and

10.6 2 x 2 ID pictures (2 pcs.)

10.7 Proof of Graduation (Certificate, Diploma, etc.)

11.0 Funding Requirements

Two Hundred (200) selected maritime cadets starting from MSAP 2007 shall be given financial assistance with a funding requirements of SIX MILLION Pesos (Php6,000,000).

The subsequent funding requirement shall be allocated after a year ™s implementation of this Program, subject to review and approval by the OWWA Board of Trustees.

12.0 Effectivity

This MOI takes effect immediately.

Adopted: 28 Oct. 2008

(SGD.) CARMELITA S. DIMZON
Administrator